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Yzerman Says LeCavalier Was True Pro With Decision

by Ryan Adams

The end of an era would be putting it mildly. Thursday morning, the Tampa Bay Lightning bought out the contract of captain Vincent Lecavalier, and in doing so sent a shockwave through the Bay area. Vinny was not just the catalyst to a franchise that won a Stanley Cup in 2004 after being the punching bag for the NHL for so many years, he was an icon in the Tampa Bay area community.

Friday morning, Lightning General Manager Steve Yzerman was on with 620 WDAE's Tom Jones and Rick Stroud to talk about the decision to part ways with Vinny.

"I called him yesterday morning and informed him of the decision," Yzerman said. "He was extremely professional. He expressed the disappointment of leaving Tampa but he understood the economics of hockey now have changed and understood the decision."